Christian Cyclopedia

Term used to express RC doctrine that the 7 RC sacraments* confer grace by the act in itself, apart from faith. Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, Sess. VII, Canons on the Sacraments in General, Canon 8: “If anyone says that by the sacraments of the New Law grace is not conferred ex opere operato, but that faith alone in the divine promise is sufficient to obtain grace, let him be anathema.” Ap XIII 18: “We condemn the whole crowd of scholastic doctors who teach that unless there is some obstacle, the sacraments confer grace ex opere operato, without a good disposition in the one using them.” Cf. Ap IV 63; XII 12. Not to be confused with ex* opere operantis. See also Grace, Means of, I, 8.